Fitted sheet



June 28, 1960 w. L. MAY,-JR 2,942,280

FITTED SHEET Filed Dec. 6, 1956 INVENTOR wire/V l. 4%), 7?.

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ATTO R N EY Massachusetts v v Filed Dec. 6, 1956, Set;- No. 626,664 7 Claims. (Cl. -334) The present.inventionrelates toifitted slreetsfor cover ing' mattresses, more particularly; to fitted crib'i sheets which normally are sold. in different. sizes corresponding to. diiierent mattress size ranges and aredesi'gnedf to fit-xthe matr'esses within each size range asclosely' ass-pos sible.

Fitted crib sheets having a top and sides of a convention'al woven sheeting material, such as a percale or a muslin, are well-known. Sheeting materials of this type are relatively inextensible with the result that-sheets made entirely or such materials are fixed in. size. Even within the established size ranges for mattresses, i.e., crib, junior, single, double,- etc'., mattress: dimensions vary considerably in height, length, and width, particularly in: height or. thickness. The aforementioned relatively inext'ensible wovenrsheets' canonly be designed to fit one size mattresstightly; Thus, in a given size range, say for crib mattresses, fitted sheets of these' materials must bernade somewhat large to take'into account van'ationsin mattress size. This often results in a sloppy fit between the sheet and the mattress. In addition, since fitted sheets of this type are not extensible, they are, at best, difiicult to install since the mattress itself must befolded or flexedto fit into" the fitted portions of the sheet. 7

Fitted sheets made entirely from knitted fabrics of the type commonly used in the manufacture of clothing, such-as undergarments, have been proposed; but these also have certain disadvantages. Knitted sheeting tends to 'fstick to the 'occupant of the bed and move with him with the result that the sheet becomes Io'oseor" sloppy on the mattress; This apparently is due to the extensibility and relatively rough surface texture of these materials. Knitted fabrics of this type lack the necessary' firmness and are not sufficiently smooth for use as sheets. Also;

knitted fabrics of this type do not wear'or wash" as well as conventional Woven sheeting materials, such as per cal'es or muslins, and are. considerably more expensive than these materials. I

The present'invention contemplates a fitted sheet which comprises at -relatively inextensible" fiat top portion .of a conventional woven sheeting material for covering the upper surface of the mattress, and extensible knitted side and end walls depending from the top portion and adapted to be fitted around the sides and ends ,of a given mattress and underits bottom edges. The" side and end walls are shaped and' connected at their ends so as to form a box-like enclosure with a closed top formed by the aforementioned woven top portion, inclined sides and ends joined in inwardly tapered corners (formed by" the knitted side-and end walls), andan opening at the bottom defined by the connected lower edges of the side and end walls, which opening is smaller, or shorter in length and narrower in width, than the woven top portion.- Preferably, the bottoms of the side and end Wallsv include i11 wardly turned lip or flange portions which are especially adapted tofit around and. under thebottorm edges of. the mattress.

nited SttesPatent ine The woven top portion is substantially commensurate in area with the top surface of the mattress, i.e., its edges extend substantially to the edges of the top of the mat, tress, and the knitted side. and end walls are joined to the top portion along the edges thereof. The corners of the box-like enclosure. formed by the fitted sheet of this in vention are tapered inwardly, as described above, to allow the knitted side and end walls to be stretched in the direc-.- tion of their length around the bottom edges of the mat tress to provide a snug fit between the side and end walls of the sheet and the mattress, regardless of slight variations in the length or width. of the mattress. Thus, the sheet will fit mattresses of difierent Widths and lengths even though the woven top portion of the sheet is fixed in dimension.

The knitted side and end walls. of the" sheet are extensible' primarily in the direction of the depth or thickness of. the mattress so that the sheet is readily adjustablev to mattresses; of diiferent thicknesses. Since knitted materials of. the type used for this purpose are extensible primarily in one'direction, the material is arranged in the side and end walls with the direction of maximum ex;- tensibility thereof corresponding. with the direction of the thickness of-the mattress to provide the aforementioned adjustability in depth.

Another advantageous feature of the fitted sheet of this invention resides in elastic means included along the bottom edge'portion of one of the end walls of the sheet. This provides additional elasticity around the bottom edge-ofthe sheet which allows the sheet to be stretched over; and snapped on to a mattress with ease.

Other and further advantages of the fitted sheet of this invention will. be apparent from the following description and. claims taken together with the drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is an isometric view taken from the bottom of a fitted crib sheet of this invention with the sheetl'aid-out fiat and with its sides in a relaxed condition.

Figure 2 is a bottom isometric view of the sheet of Figure l fitted on a mattress.

Figure 3 is a top isometric view of one corner of the sheet of Figure 1.

Figure 4. is a partial sectional view, inverted; along the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is atop isometric view of one corner of a somewhat difierentembodirnent of the sheet of Figure 1.

Referring to Figures 14 of the drawings, there is shown afitted crib sheet according to this invention Whichcomprises a rectangular woven top portion 11 having sidewalls 1 2 and end walls 13 depending from its'side and end edges, respectively. In Figures 1 and 2 the sheet is shown inverted forthe sake of clarity, while in Figures 3 and" 4, the woven top portion 11 is shown in its normal position with the side and end walls 12 and 13 depending, or extending downwardly, therefrom. In Figures 2 and 4 the sheet is shown fitted snugly on a mattress 14, while in Figures 1 and 3 it is shown before it is fitted on the mattress.

The woven top portion 11 is of a relatively inextensible conventional sheeting material, such as percale or muslin, While the-side and end Walls 12 and 13 consist of a knitted material of the type commonly used in undergar ments. As. mentioned hereinbefore, this material is1relatively extensible, primarily in. one direction, andis arranged in the side. and end walls 12 and 13 in such a Way thatthe walls are extensible primarily in the direction of the depth or thickness of the mattress 14 as is illustrated. at A in Figure 1 and indicated by the arrows in Figures 1. and 2. This feature will be discussed more fully hereinafter.

The woven top portion 11 is substantially commensurate in area with the top surface of the mattress 14,

i.e., its edges extend substantially to the edges of the top of the mattress. walls 12 and 13 are secured to the corresponding edges of the top portion 11 of the sheet by suitable means 15 such as stitiching or the like. Similarly, corresponding ends of each of the side walls 12 are secured to corresponding ends of each of the end walls 13 by means 16 such as stitching, or the like, to provide a box-like mattress enclosure hav-ing a closed top formed by the woven top portion 11, sides and ends formed by the side and end walls, 12 and 13, and an opening at the bottom defined by the connected lower edges of the side and end walls..

As shown most clearly in Figure 3, the ends of each of the side and end walls are inclined or tapered inwardly towards their bottom edges with the result that the box-like enclosure, described above, has tapered or beveled corners 18 and the opening 19 defined by the lower edges of the side and end walls 12 and 13 is shorter in length and narrower in width than the woven top portion 11. As shown in Figure 3, the corner 18 of the enclosure is tapered progressively, or in a straight line, from the corner of the woven top portion 11 of the sheet to the point 21 which corresponds roughly with the average thickness of mattresses which a particular crib sheet would be designed to fit. Thereafter, in the lower portions 22 of the corners 18, the taper increases consider-ably, or is inclined inwardly to a much greater extent, until it terminates in the opening 19 defined by the lower edges of the side and end walls. I

As mentionedabove, the knitted material in the side and end walls is arranged so that the walls are extensible primarily in the direction of the depth or thickness of the mattress 14. However, they also are extensible in the direction of the length and width of the mattress. Thus, for a mattress in a given size range, say a crib mattress, a crib sheet according to this invention may be installed by, first stretching one of the end walls 13 in The top edges of the side and end 4 brought out to the corresponding lower corner 23 'of the mattress 14. Correspondingly, those more tapered portions '22 of the side and end walls 12 and 13 below the point 21 are stretched in such a way that they now lie fiat and form flange or lip portions 24 which extend under the mattress 14 all around its lower edges. Since the lips 24 at the corners 18 of the sheet are stretched longitudinally and transversely, whereas between the corners the lip portions are stretched mainly in the direction of .their length, the opening .19 formed. by the bottom edge of the sheet is curved at the corners and widened between the corners, roughly as shown in Figure 2. As shown best in Figures 1, 2, and 4, an elastic 25 is provided along the lower edge of one of the end walls 13 of the sheet. This provides additional elasticity around the bottom edge of the sheet which allows the sheet to be stretched over a mattress and snapped in position with ease. Any conventional elastic material may be employed. Preferably, the elastic is enclosed within a tape the sheet.

the direction of its length to fit over the end of the mattress, then stretching the side walls 12 in the direction of their length to fit over the sides of the mattress, and finally stretching the other end wall 13 in the direction of its length to fit over the other end of the mattress. Additionally, both the side and end walls 12 and 13 may be stretched in the direction of the depth or thickness of the mattress 14 as necessary to adjust to variations in thickness of the mattress and to fit snugly over the sides of the mattress and around and under its bottom edges. This ability of the sheet of this invention to fit mattresses of variable thickness, is illustrated schematically in Figure 2 where the full lines represent a sheet fitted on a mattress of one thickness and the same lines taken together with the dotted lines at the bottom illustrate the same sheet fitted on a thicker mattress.

Since the relatively inextensible woven top portion 11 of the mattress is substantially commensurate with the top of the mattress 14, and the side and end walls 12 and 13 are joined to the edges of the top portion, the tapered corners 18 formed by the connected side and end walls allow the side and end walls to be stretched in the direction of their length to fit snugly around the sides and ends of the mattress. Thisstretching of the side and end walls 12 and 13 is progressively greater from the pointwhere the corners 18 join the woven top portion of the mattress to the point 21 on the corners 18 which corresponds to the lower corners 23 of the mattress 14. In other words, as shown most clearly in Figures 2. and 4, when the fitted sheet of this invention is stretched and fitted over a mattress 14, it becomes rectangular in dimension, conforming to the shape of the mattress. The relatively inextensible woven top portion 11 of the sheet does not change in shape. However, the side and end walls 12 and 13 are stretched lengthwise in such a way that the point 21 on each corner 18 of the sheet is 26 of some soft material, such as a knitted cotton fabric, to provide a soft and attractive edge.

In Figure 5 there is shown a somewhat difierent em bodiment of a fitted sheet according to the invention. The sheet of Figure 5 may be identical with that of Figures 1-4 in all respects with the exception that the tapered corners 28 of this sheet are in the form of a continuous inward curve, rather than the two-stage bevel shown in Figures l-4. This curve is laid-out to assure a snug fit around the sides and ends and under the bottom edges of the mattress 14.

As mentioned hereinbefore, various conventional sheeting materials,'such as percales or muslins, may be used for the relatively inextensible woven top portion 11 of These may be woven predominantly from combed or carded cotton, or similar materials. However, they may include viscose rayon or acetate rayon fibers or other synthetic materials where they may be desirable for a particular purpose. The side and end walls 12 and 13 may be made from a light weight cotton knitted fabric such as a 30 x 35 knitted cloth of approximately 5.2 yards per pound. Similarly, rayon and various other materials also may be used in the side and end walls.

Having now described the invention in specific detail and exemplified the manner in which it may be carried into practice, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that innumerable variations, applications, modi= fications, and extensions of the basic principles involved may be made without departing from its spirit or scope;

. I claim:

1. A mattress covering sheet which comprises a flat top portion for covering the upper surface of the mattress, said top portion being of relatively inextensible woven sheeting material, side and end walls of resiliently extensible knitted material depending from said top portion, the tops of said side and end walls being joined to said top portion adjacent the side and end edges of said top portion and said side and end walls being extensible primarily in the direction of their depth, and lip portions of extensible knitted material extending inwardly from the bottoms of the side and end walls, the ends of the side and end walls and the corresponding ends of said lip portions being connected to one another at the corners of said sheet to form a resilient and form fitting continuous enclosure for the top, sides, and lower edge portions of the mattress, the side and end walls increasing in extensibility widthwise and lengthwise, respectively, from the tops to the bottoms of said walls.

2. A mattress covering sheet which comprises a flat top portion for covering the upper surface of the mattress, said top portion being of relatively inextensible woven sheeting material, side and end walls of resiliently extensible knitted material depending from said top portion, the tops of said side and end walls being joined to said top portion adjacent the side and end edges of said top portion and said side and end walls being extensible primarily in the direction of their depth, lip portions of extensible knitted material extending inwardly from the bottoms of the side and end walls, the ends of the side and end walls and the corresponding ends of said lip portions being connected to one another at the corners of said sheet to form a resilient and form fitting continuous enclosure for the top, sides, and lower edge portions of the mattress, the side and end walls increasing in extensibility widthwise and lengthwise, respectively,

from the tops to the bottoms of said walls, and addi-' tional elastic means incorporated with the lip portion extending inwardly from at least one of said end walls, whereby an extensible snap-on mattress cover is provided.

3. A mattress covering sheet which comprises a fiat top portion for covering the upper surface of the mattress, said top portion being of relatively inextensible woven sheeting material, and side and end walls of resiliently extensible knitted material depending from said top portion, the tops of said side and end walls being joined to said top portion adjacent the side and end edges of said top portion and the ends of said side and end Walls being inclined inwardly towards their bottom edges and connected to one another at the corners of said sheet, thereby forming a resilient and form fitting box-like enclosure with tapered corners and having an opening defined by the connected lower edges of said side and end walls, said opening being shorter in length and narrower in width than said flat top portion, the side and end walls increasing in extensibility widthwise and lengthwise, respectively, from the tops to the bottoms of said walls.

4. A mattress covering sheet which comprises a flat top portion for covering the upper surface of the mattress, said top portion being of relatively inextensible woven sheeting material, and side and end walls of resiliently extensible knitted material depending from said top portion, the tops of said side and end walls being joined to said top portion adjacent the side and end edges of said top portion and the ends of said side and end walls being inclined inwardly towards their bottom edges and connected to one another at the corners of said sheet, thereby forming a resilient and form fitting box-like enclosure with tapered corners and having an opening defined by the connected lower edges of said side and end walls, said opening being shorter in length and narrower .in width than said fiat top portion, the inward inclination of the ends of said side and end walls being greater adjacent their bottom edges thereby increasing the inward taper of the lower ends of the corners of the sheet and forming lip portions extending inwardly from the bottoms of the side and end walls, said lip portions being adapted to fit under the bottom edges of the mattress, the side and end walls increasing in extensibility widthwise and lengthwise, respectively, from the tops to the bottoms of said walls.

5. A mattress covering sheet which comprises a flat top portion for covering the upper surface of the mattress, said top portion being of relatively inextensible woven sheeting material, and side and end walls of resiliently extensible knitted material depending from said top portion, the tops of said side and end walls being joined to said top portion adjacent the side and end edges of said top portion and said side and end walls being extensible primarily in the direction of their depth, the ends of said side and end walls being inclined inwardly towards their bottom edges and connected to one another at the corners of said sheet, thereby forniing a resilient and form fitting box-like enclosure with tapered corners and having an opening defined by the connected lower edges of said side and end walls, said opening being shorter in length and narrower in width than said flat top portion, the side and end walls increasing in extensibility widthwise and lengthwise, respectively, from the tops to the bottoms of said walls.

6. A mattress covering sheet which comprises a fiat top portion for covering the upper surface of the mattress, said top portion being of relatively inextensible woven sheeting material, and side and end walls of resiliently extensible knitted material depending from said top portion, the tops of said side and end walls being joined to said top portion adjacent the side and end edges of said top portion and said side and end Walls being extensible primarily in the direction of their depth, the ends of said side and end walls being inclined inwardly towards their bottom edges and connected to one another at the corners of said sheet, thereby forming a resilient and form fitting box-like enclosure with tapered corners and having an opening defined by the connected lower edges of said side and end walls, said opening being shorter in length and narrower in width than said flat top portion, the inward inclination of the ends of said side and end walls being greater adjacent their bottom edges thereby increasing the inward taper of the lower ends of the corners of the sheet and forming lip portions extending inwardly from the bottoms of the side and end walls, said lip portions being adapted to fit under the bottom edges of the mattress, the side and end walls increasing in extensibility widthwise and lengthwise, respectively, from the tops to the bottoms of said Walls.

7. A mattress covering sheet which comprises a flat top portion for covering the upper surface of the mattress, said top portion being of relatively inextensible woven sheeting material, side and end walls of resiliently extensible knitted material depending from said top portion, the tops of said side and end walls being joined to said top portion adjacent the side and end edges of said top portion and said side and end walls being extensible primarily in the direction of their depth, the ends of said side and end walls being inclined inwardly towards their bottom edges and connected to one another at the corners of said sheet, thereby forming a resilient and form fitting box-like enclosure with tapered corners and having an opening defined by the connected lower edges of said side and end Walls, said opening being shorter in length and narrower in width than said fiat top portion, the side and end walls increasing in extensibility widthwise and lengthwise, respectively, from the tops to the bottoms of said walls, and elastic means along the bottom of one of said end walls, whereby an extensible snap-on mattress covering sheet is provided.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,161,448 Bishop June 6, 1939 2,528,313 Kessler Oct. 31, 1950 2,569,627 Black Oct. 2, 1951 2,605,483 Ridenhour Aug. 5, 1952 2,624,893 Harris Jan. 13, 1953 2,639,444 Monsabert May 26, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 701,899 Great Britain Jan. 6, 1954 

